July 20, 2022
(NORTH BETHESDA, MD) — National Philharmonic concludes its 2021–2022 subscription season on June 5 at The Music Center at Strathmore with Ludwig van Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis, a grand- scale work for orchestra, chorus, and vocal soloists originally scheduled for May 2020. Beethoven considered Missa Solemnis to be his greatest composition, and it is also seen as one of the most significant “Mass” settings within the vast classical music repertoire. Music Director Piotr Gajewski leads the National Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorale, as well as a quartet of soloists that includes soprano Esther Heideman, mezzo-soprano Claudia Chapa, tenor Norman Shankle, and bass- baritone Kerry Wilkerson.
In addition, subscriptions to the National Philharmonic’s recently announced 2022–2023 season will go on sale in early June. The season comprises eight classical programs conducted by Music Director Piotr Gajewski, two by Chorale Artistic Director Stan Engebretson, two pops concerts led by Principal Pops Conductor Luke Frazier, and a piano recital by Brian Ganz. Highlights include world premiere works by American composers Henry Dehlinger and Adolphus Hailstork; complete symphonies by Chevalier de Saint-Georges, Louise Farrenc, Gustav Mahler, Sergei Rachmaninoff, and Ludwig van Beethoven; and appearances by renowned soloists from the classical, Broadway, and dance worlds. The full 2022-2023 season schedule can be found at nationalphilharmonic.org/season-2223.
Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis
with National Philharmonic Chorale
Piotr Gajewski, conductor
Esther Heideman, soprano
Claudia Chapa, mezzo-soprano
Norman Shankle, tenor
Kerry Wilkerson, bass-baritone
Sunday, June 5, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. at The Music Center at Strathmore
National Philharmonic Orchestra & Chorale, conducted by Maestro Piotr Gajewski, concludes its 2021-22 season with Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis, originally programmed for May 2020. Composed alongside the famous Symphony No. 9, Missa Solemnis represents Beethoven’s final creative period. He considered it to be his greatest work and inscribed “From the heart – may it go to the heart” at the top of the score.
Program:
Ludwig van Beethoven, Missa Solemnis in D Major, Op. 123
Programs, artists, dates, prices, and availability subject to change.
Ticket Information
Tickets ($19–$99) are available online at nationalphilharmonic.org. Kids 17 and under can attend National Philharmonic performances for free through the All Kids. All Free. All the Time. initiative.
Health and Safety Protocols
All guests at any indoor National Philharmonic events at any location will need to be fully vaccinated with the Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson vaccine, and must show proof of vaccination with their ticket upon entry to the theater. These policies will be evaluated regularly based on updated community health data, public safety best practices, and government guidance.
Unvaccinated patrons without medical exemption, including children not yet eligible for the vaccine, will not be permitted to attend National Philharmonic performances. National Philharmonic will not accept proof of negative test. Please note that this may differ from the policies of individual venues.
In addition to vaccine protocols, patrons will be required to wear masks in the venue and through the duration of National Philharmonic performances.
For the latest safety protocols, please visit nationalphilharmonic.org/safety.
About the Soloists
About the National Philharmonic
Celebrated for showcasing world-renowned guest artists in time-honored symphonic masterpieces, National Philharmonic continuously strives to create remarkable educational opportunities in the community while promoting diversity and representation in classical music.
National Philharmonic is an accessible, enriching component in the Greater Washington D.C. Metropolitan Area, believing that music has the power to spark imagination and shape the world around us. As the only organization with a united orchestra and chorus in the region, over the years National Philharmonic has expanded its footprint beyond its home at Strathmore, with year-round masterclasses along with Summer String and Summer Chorale Institutes for youth, armed services programs, and partnerships with community organizations. In addition to these programs, National Philharmonic fosters a love of music in young people across the region by offering free admission to all children between the ages 7 to 17 years old.
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